Cook County Soda Tax Leads to Major Public Speaker Turnout at County Board Meeting

Cook County Board of Commissioners Meeting - September 13, 2017
                     
Observations:

• I arrived to observe the Board of Commissioner's meeting at 9:50am. Upon exiting the elevator, I was confronted with masses of people in the main hallway and was unable to enter the board room. Several groups had red or blue T-shirts, with the American Heart Association or Healthy Kids imprinted on them.  There were over 90 names on the speaker list with each speaker limited to 3 minutes, or 4 1/2 hours of speakers - mostly to address the Cook County Soda Tax - as an ordinance for repeal of the soda tax was on the board agenda. (Agenda Item 17-4704)
  
• The Soda Tax repeal bill was referred to the Finance Committee and will be discussed at a future meeting..

Observer - Laura Davis